spittle

This is of special significance for me because my pro-Caesar stance is rapidly changing with every new thing I learn. From a psychoanalytical perspective his hyperactivity must play a part in explaining any possible condition or disorder he may have had?

And how on earth would we test the DNA? We would test the DNA by comparing it with that French actress off of The DaVinci Code. She's descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene

I watched a little of BBC News 24 earlier today and saw a story about a group of western Chinese villagers with very European looks (one had blond hair!). There is a theory that they are descended from Romans who managed to escape the Parthians when M L Crassus mismanaged them into a slaughter. DNA tests are being taken to verify the theory but another theory, that they are descended from the Huns, is also being voiced. Years ago I watched a documentrary about the Tocharians, another group of European featured people living in Western China. Their language (also called Tocharian) is the most eastern example of the Indo-European group. Maybe the two groups are related?

Even by the standards of the day (which, obviously, were far bloodier than today) Caesars actions were seen as extreme. The Senate considered prosecuting him for war crimes. He was responsible for the death or enslavement of half of Gaul so I must disagree that his acts were 'the commonality of the day'. Secrets sometimes get revealed after the death of the beholder. What I'm really asking here is whether the HBO storyline concerning the Romans attitude to epilepsy (seen as a curse from a God) is true. Or did the Romans view epilepsy like we do, as an unfortunate condition but nothing to stop a person from being great or holding high office?

If a shark stops moving it will die. there is a psychological condition likened to this, characterised by constant hyperactivity (not unlike GJC). The lack of rest results in a lack of reflection at the cruel acts and deeds they have done. this sounds alot like Caesar to me. And does anyone know whether his epilepsy was a secret?

Is this an attempt to join G O in the consul chairs??? I have my copy and have watched it many times but I admire your generous offer. You will be giving someone a great deal of pleasure. Hats off.

What is the truth concerning Caesars epilepsy? According to HBO Rome GJC went to extreme lengths to cover up his ailment. In the words of gossiping Atia "By which God?" [is he cursed with epilepsy]. But the extracts from ancient sources in some of my books make it seem that Caesars condition was common knowledge.

I really enjoyed the Other Bolyn Girl. Especially Jared Harris' (son of Richard) portrayal of Henry. I know that physically he was too small (sorry, I'm a pedant) but he was cultured and totally different to the stereotypical Henry 8 with the brash back slapping antics that seem always to be part of the actors preferred style of portrayal. I'll run a copy off and bring it to York in April. Edit. Of Winston. Bonham Carter. Not The Other Bolyn Girl.

Ancient Egypt You can see Egyptian society started in 5500 BC, not 3100 BC. Link The issue is very debatable. The oldest known city is Sumer, but the Egyptians started urban planning well before the Mesopatamians did. As you say it is very debatable, We always seem to get back to the question of what exactly constitutes 'civilisation'. We would have to agree on the definition of civilisation before attempting to answer which was the earliest and i suspect it would not be an easy set of factors to agree upon.

Thanks guys. I had considered the Scullard book before and will certainly buy them both.

I own 'The Beginnings of Rome' by Cornell and 'A Critical History of Early Rome' by Forsythe (Which was written, in part, to question much of the information supplied by Cornell). Both are full of facts but far too academic for me to read from start to finish, so I use them as reference books. I love biographies (Goldworthy's 'Caesar', R. Hollands 'Augustus') and what I think are called 'narrative' histories (?) such as Tom Hollands 'Rubicon' and '69AD: The Year of Four Emperors' by Gwyn Morgan. By narrative i mean factual books that read with the excitement of fiction. What I'm hoping some of you fellow forum types will help me with is finding some books that fit my above description concerning early Rome. By 'early' I actually mean upto Sulla and Marius. Many books are concerned with the end of the republic so they are devoted to the ususal suspects but to put them in perspective they give a small introduction by way of running through the Gracchi to Sulla v Marius to Caesar v Pompey to Marcus Antonius v Octavian to Augustus. I want to read about the people who MADE Rome. I was thinking of starting with 'Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon' by B H liddell Hart. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Henry 8 was very athletic as a young man. The Ray Winstone, Helena Bonham Carter 'Henry VIII' was watchable but the attitudes of the characters were far too modern. H B C's Anne Bolyn was like some kind of early modern girl power person! Sean Bean was excellent though as Robert Aske. I cannot access the above link. It says its intended for USA only.

.....and if we look for Caesars (family names) rather than Caesars (title of Emperor) we'll find that none of the Caesars (HRH) were actually born Caesars (DNA). Caesar.....Kaiser.....Tzar (or Czar)...... Any more???

The gap is not that large, and recent evidence had pointed to it starting in Egypt before Mesopatamia. Please state the source of the recent evidence you refer too.

I'm assuming that the Mongolian language will be tonal and related to Mandarin. Am I right to make these assumptions?

Off topic, but I have to ask.... Everitts book. I have been put off buying it because the idea of him willingly accepting poison is so daft, not to mention done before with Claudius (I, Claudius). Would you recommend this book?

What is the cyberspace equivalent of cutting a mans nose off, sowing him in a sack with wild dogs and throwing him off a cliff? According to Kevin Costners 'Elliott Ness' (The Untouchables) that was the Roman punishment for bribing officials. After saying that Mr Costner does have a terrible track record for historical accuracy (JFK, 13 Days).

If coins showed full faces (rather than profiles) we'd need oblong examples to allow for our next monarchs ears. And the stamps could have fold out appendages.

I have not seen Downfall. I read the reviews which were all excellent but never got around to actually watching the film, which is strange considering I own copies of many foreign language films. Yours comments about humanising Hitler strongly remind me of interviews Anthony Hopkins gave after making a film about Hitlers last days in the bunker. I think it was called 'The Bunker'. Hopkins said he wanted to show Hitler as a broken man and cause sympathy for 'the plight of A man...' I'll have to make a point of watching both.

"Bugger Bognor" Kiing Edward VII (1910)

Constantinople (Istanbul). This actually became the capital of the Roman Empire during the reign of Constantine the Great (early 4th Century AD) and continued as such until its fall, over a thousand years after the fall of Rome. You must remember that the Romans were around for 2000years so different cities prospered and failed at different times. During the 1st Century Rome had more people than all the other cities of Italy combined. I believe Capua was the second city at this time.

I know the Turkik peoples who displaced the Byzantine Greeks from the area came from way back east. Maybe the Mongols were a first wave of this westwards migration of eastern races? Any site detailing the history of the Turkish peoples should help clarify the issue. AND the Mongols reached Europe so probably passed through (or close by) Byzantium.

I seem to recall reading that Caesar went so far as to make a formal denial of 'relations' with the king of Bythnia. All it achieved was to add fuel to the fire. (Goldworthy...I think?). Perceptions of Beauty. It is a fact that the wealthier a society becomes the thinner the women are seen as beautiful. I remember that from an old sociology class.

Wasn't she the product of a limited gene pool? I read the Ptolemy's had been 'keeping it in the family' for generations. With that pedigree its surprizing she didn't look like Monty Burns. So The Launderette Lady from Barrow-in-Furness would be a more realistic Cleo (than Liz Taylor or Amanda Barrie). Who would be an appropriate Mark Antony? I'm thinking of Marty Feldman (?). The fella with the bulging eyes off of Young Frankenstein.

Well said, DC. I'm sick of natural history being shown back to back all weekend. I have not seen the hannibal doc so I'm really looking forward to it (or is it them?).